A.G. Gancarski
After a second poll since the First Election showed the campaigns of Alvin Brown and Lenny Curry in a very close contest on Tuesday, both campaigns had quick reaction.
The Curry side, represented by Brian Hughes, optimistically predicted further gains with undecided voters, a position consistent with its contention that voters not in the mayor’s camp are willing to consider a leadership change.
“On First Election Day, we were 4.2 points back. This poll shows that gap is closed and is within the MOE,” Hughes said in a prepared statement. “That is consistent with other polls and essentially shows a tie. More important it shows there is a group of undecided voters who recognize that it’s time for a change.
“Lenny Curry and this campaign will continue to share Lenny’s positive vision and detailed plan to restore Jacksonville’s greatness. In turn, we are sure those undecided voters will be a part of our General Election Day success.”
His counterpart, Yianni Varonis, was likewise optimistic. He cited the mayor’s appeal to undecided voters, as well as the campaign’s “ground game,” as the expected advantage.
“This poll reinforces what we already knew: that Mayor Brown is up; and by a convincing margin, Jacksonville approves his record of reducing crime and cutting unemployment, to Lenny Curry’s partisan record of opposing policies that would create economic opportunity for working families,” Varonis said. “We know, however, that this will be a close race, which is why our supporters continue to knock on doors and call their friends and neighbors to say that Jacksonville is on the rise because of Mayor Brown and his commitment to working across the aisle.
“Come Election Day, we’re confident Mayor Brown will win re-election because of his strong record, superior grassroots support and ground game, and his overwhelming advantage among independent voters.”
In addition to reaction from the two mayoral campaigns, sheriff candidate Ken Jefferson‘s campaign confirmed that the numbers in Tuesday’s poll jibed with their own internal polls. Those watching the sheriff’s race have noticed the tightening numbers in polls since the runoff. However, Jefferson’s fundraising has surged in recent weeks, which will help with media buys as the May 19 election approaches.
